Thanksgiving in Black and White
I have a vague memories of the Thanksgivings of my youth (perhaps all that carb and fat consumption obliterated my brain cells). So, with the help of the web, I reconstructed rituals of Thanksgivings gone by.
Thanksgiving Travel: Frankly, I don't remember much of it back when I was a kid. Everybody drove. Flying was a luxury and a novelty. Plus, families lived close to each other. Only the "strange relatives" resided in distant states (and were spoken of in hushed tones).
Attire: I recall dressing up for all major holidays (just like the cast of Mad Men). My grandfather even wore a fedora. Today, we all show up at Thanksgiving dinner in jeans
The Macy's Parade: It's now a technicolor, multi-hour extravaganza, complete with its own website, reality TV star hosts, and Broadway entertainment. I was awed when the Snoopy balloon joined the line-up. Luckily, I missed the years when a helium shortage forced the balloons to be filled with air and carried on sticks. How sad.
Other Television: Of course, football is still a staple. And some of the old classics are aired each year. But then we have the Thanksgiving version of "Deal or No Deal." (Is it really necessary?) Let's bring back the Thanksgiving Jamborees! Where are Officer Joe Bolton and Sonny Fox when you need them?
Food: There was always way too much of it. The multiple pie thing seems to be ubiquitous, timeless, and mandatory. But it's one of those annual traditions that's unaffected by technological advancements, global warming, television programmers, and cultural trends. So, perhaps I should just be grateful...
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